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In-depth Blog Articles

Good Neighbor Insurance, https://www.gninsurance.com, is dedicated to protecting travelers, expatriates, and employer groups in all ways, and one of the best ways we know is to provide quality and up to date information. We aim with our in depth and exploratory blog articles, https://www.gninsurance.com/blog, to keep you informed on travel safety, up and coming destinations, adventure sports and activities, expatriate lifestyles, and a variety of other topics aimed at expanding horizons. With new articles posted every month, the blog is sure to bring you new and exciting insights to the world around.

  1. Van Life Nomadic Travels
  2. 7 Best Ways to Become a Sustainable Traveler
  3. Why You May Need a Travel Medicine Specialist
  4. Nomad Life on Water: Sailing, Yachting and Cruising Part 1
  5. Travel Guide – Backpacking through Southern Italy
  6. Celebrate New Year’s Around the World
  7. Hiking Around the World – Part 1 of 2
  8. Hiking Around the World – Part 2 of 2
  9. Your Beginners Guide to Yachting
  10. South Africa Nomadic Travels

 

Van Life is an alternative lifestyle adopted by many nomads looking to live a minimalistic, less traditional lifestyle.

Most van-life nomads adapt or purchase vehicles that are outfitted with a bed, and a small kitchenette. Only the most expensive vans include bathroom or shower facilities built in!

Van life varies from country to country and also varies on one’s budget. Most van-lifers spend only a few dollars a day for food and fuel. 

Most van-life nomads enjoy traveling from place to place, shopping locally at farmers markets and artisanal shops, and living frugally. 

But all van life nomads enjoy

  • Not staying in one place for a long period of time. Most stops are 5 days or less!
  • Traveling off the beaten path
  • Spending more time out in nature whether it’s hiking in the mountains, rock climbing, or even surfing at the beach
  • And living in a simpler lifestyle. 

 

Some of the benefits of van life include lower costs of living, freedom to roam from place to place, and the ability to build a strong network of friends from all different places.  One of the challenges with van life can be finding a place to shower if one’s van does not include those amenities, and not having much space to store or keep possessions. 

Good Neighbor Insurance international insurance brokerage has a great blog series on nomadic lifestyles throughout the world. Check our van life nomad lifestyle blog at https://www.gninsurance.com/blog/travel-smarter/van-life-nomad-lifestyle-trends. 

Check out all of Good Neighbor Insurance blogs at https://www.gninsurance.com/blog

For the most up-to-date information on our different international travel and expatiate medical insurance options, please –

Safe global travels – from your GNI Team here in Gilbert, Arizona.

Today, the modern traveler wants more than just having an enjoyable time away from home.  Many travelers also dream of making the world a better place by being a positive influence to those they touch and to our global environment.

Sometimes, we think we may not be able to transform an entire society.  However, that does not mean we can’t make a difference. Even positively impacting one person’s life is making the world a better place.

Safeguarding our fragile ecosystems, empowering communities through celebrating local cultures and improving their livelihoods and also tackling waste and pollution are just some things us global travelers can help out.  One of the ways to learn more about sustainable travel is by going in person to learn how others are doing this throughout the world.

You could learn how Costa Rica is teaching travelers to lessen their carbon footprint.  Or you can explore the top 7 most sustainable cities in the world. Or visit places, like Slovenia, where they have created green routes for the independent traveler. Each of these places and projects are positively impacting the world, one person at a time. 

You can make more of a difference than you think!  Good Neighbor Insurance international insurance brokerage has a great blog on sustainable travel. Check our 7 best ways to become a sustainable traveler at https://www.gninsurance.com/blog/travel-smarter/7-best-ways-to-become-a-sustainable-traveler

Check out all of Good Neighbor Insurance blogs at https://www.gninsurance.com/blog.  We wish you and yours a very safe and awe-inspiring a sustainable traveling lifestyle!

Safe global travels – from your GNI Team here in Gilbert, Arizona.

 

Recently, an American expatriate living in a remote Asian city contacted our office for advice regarding her pregnancy. She was about eight months pregnant and an ultrasound had detected that her baby was not growing normally. She wanted to know more about her expatriate medical insurance, especially as she was planning an upcoming trip to get a second opinion about her baby. 

For situations like these there are three major options to choose from to stay protected. First, always have some form of global medical insurance when traveling which will cover for worse case situations that are brand new. This would include things like sudden illness not related to her pregnancy, or injury while on her trip. Travel insurance for those traveling a few days up to a year is important to have in order to stay protected. You may view a few travel insurance options at https://www.gninsurance.com/travel if you are planning an upcoming trip.

Expatriate insurance, like this soon-to-be mother needed to have while residing outside her country of citizenship, is vital. Her expatriate policy that she had purchased before moving overseas last year covered many of her maternity care expenses. Good Neighbor Insurance has a variety of expat medical insurance options where many provide maternity coverage. If you are planning to move overseas, you may view our expatriate medical insurance options at https://www.gninsurance.com/health.

The second major option a global traveler and expatriate may want to consider is hiring a travel medical specialist. Of course, the third and best option is to first have both global medical insurance and a traveling medical specialist where you can get advice. Luckily, this expectant mother called travel medical specialist Dr. Dale Caroll who was able to answer her questions and give her peace of mind about her situation. 

Good Neighbor Insurance international insurance brokerage has a great blog on Why You May Need a Travel Medicine Specialist. You may find it here https://www.gninsurance.com/blog/travel-smarter/why-you-may-need-a-travel-medicine-specialist, or by clicking the link in the description below.

Check out all of Good Neighbor Insurance blogs at https://www.gninsurance.com/blog.  For the most up-to-date information on our different international travel and expatiate medical insurance options, please –

Safe global travels – from your GNI Team here in Gilbert, Arizona.

 

Did you know sailing is one of the oldest nomadic lifestyles? Today we are seeing a resurgence of sailing as a nomadic lifestyle.

Living on a boat has become so much easier today.  So easy in fact that families with young children are deciding a mobile home on the water is a better way to not only raise a family but to teach their children through global experiences. Nomadic sailing also allows each of us to live a simpler life style.  And realizing that human connection, discovering beautiful corners of the world, and learning new cultures is so much more fulfilling.

Yes, it’s not always easy living a nomadic lifestyle.  We might miss things like celebrating birthdays and get-togethers with family and friends. But we get to make new friends from around the world and celebrate new and exciting holidays. We also might be missing some of our creature comforts of land base home such as going to one of our favorite pizza restaurants down the road.  But then again, as nomadic sailors, we get to try new delicious cuisine from around the world, including the real pizza in small coastal towns throughout Italy.

Sometimes we miss those new movies that come out or watching those TV reality shows.  Wait! I don’t miss that.  We are living out our own reality show as a nomadic sailor.  It is way better to live out our global reality show than watch it on TV. Nomadic sailors realize that living in the now is way better than and not postponing it for a “one day or someday” memories. 

Good Neighbor Insurance is researching this type of nomadic lifestyle and will be sharing new blogs relating to sailing modern nomads as well as other types of nomadic lifestyles happening. Check out our Nomad Life on the Water: Sailing, Yachting, and Cruising Part 1 here at https://www.gninsurance.com/blog/travel-smarter/nomad-life-on-water-sailing-yachting-cruising-part-1.

And over the course of these next months, we will be adding more in-depth nomadic lifestyle blogs here at https://www.gninsurance.com/blog. We wish you and yours a very safe and an awe-inspiring a nomadic lifestyle!

For the most up-to-date information on our different international travel and expatiate medical insurance options, please –

Safe global travels – from your GNI Team here in Gilbert, Arizona,

https://www.gninsurance.com

 

Backpacking is a fantastic way to explore new destinations, especially for adventure sport enthusiasts and for those on a budget. Here at Good Neighbor Insurance, https://www.gninsurance.com, we’re passionate about bringing you the best information and keeping you safe on all of your travels. Today we’re diving into the backpacking travel trend and discussing one of our favorite destinations: Italy.

Many backpackers adventure through northern Italy and the alps, however those limited trails miss the majestic beauty and rich history of southern Italy.  To begin your journey, we recommend landing by plane at the international airport in Rome. From there you can spend several days exploring the Forum & ruins, notable churches & basilicas, and even the Vatican.  While near Rome we highly recommend visiting the Appian way- considered one of the first main paved travel routes in the world! The next destination we love on this trek is Naples.

Known for being the birthplace of Pizza, Naples has many “secret” pathways designed for the traveler on foot to explore. After grabbing a slice, it’s time to head down to Pompeii. With some of the best-preserved ruins in the world, Pompeii offers an unparalleled peek into the lifestyles of ancient romans before the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Sicily, the island off the coast of Italy is the southernmost destination on this adventure, and we recommend staying in the charming city of Palermo. In Sicily you can explore the most active volcano in Europe, and enjoy the relaxed pace of local life with a leisurely bowl of pasta near the sea.

Finally, back on the main land we love the destination of Bari. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, the architecture will take your breath away. After you’re done wandering the streets, go down to the caves by the coast to see some exciting surprises!

We always recommend protecting all of your backpacking adventures with a comprehensive travel medical plan that includes adventure sports or hiking while you’re overseas. Learn more about protecting your adventure at  https://www.gninsurance.com/travel or live chat with us at https://www.gninsurance.com!

Check out all of Good Neighbor Insurance blogs at https://www.gninsurance.com/blog.  For the most up-to-date information on our different international travel and expatiate medical insurance options, please –

Safe global travels – from your GNI Team here in Gilbert, Arizona.

https://www.gninsurance.com

 

What if you could spend New Year’s anywhere in the world?  Which country would you choose? For me, it is hard to choose just one country.  It is a toss-up between the country of Indonesia and Australia. Today we’re going to explore what is perhaps the most iconic tradition in the world and that is the dropping of a giant ball in New York City’s Times Square which has become an international phenomenon and the world’s symbolic welcome to the New Year.

We also choose Sydney, Australia since many Americans would love to celebrate the New Year down under, especially in the middle of summer! Enjoy the harbor New Year festivities from harbor picnics, to dance parties and an opera performance. These traditional Australian New Year’s events will provide great memories for you and your love one. A favorite way to welcome in the New Year among both tourists and the locals, is a Sydney New Year Harbour Cruise. Cruise packages can include canapes, dinner, beverages, live entertainment and a party atmosphere.

But if you are still wanting to bundle up for cold weather, then head over to Reykjavik, Iceland to celebrate the night away- and we mean ALL night, with two different rounds of fireworks! Another great city to enjoy the night away is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, one of the most important events of the year there and it is a top location in Southeast Asia to spend New Year’s. You can count on some magnificent fireworks along with lively street fairs and massive parties that take you to the countdowns.

There are so many other places to celebrate the New Year in style such as in Tokyo, Japan and in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. But no matter where you and I travel to celebrate the New Year, it is always good to celebrate with your love one and friends. Check out our Celebrate New Year’s Around the World blog here at https://www.gninsurance.com/blog/travel-smarter/celebrate-new-years-around-the-world.

We at Good Neighbor Insurance, https://www.gninsurance.com, here in Gilbert, Arizona, wish you all a safe and amazing new year! For all of our blog articles and questions relating to expat and travel medical insurance, please –

Safe global travels – from your GNI Team here in Gilbert, Arizona.

https://www.gninsurance.com

 

Do you love to hike? Are you looking for some interesting and unique trails to explore around the world? Join us as we discover some of the best hikes globally! There are numerous good choices, so we begin this series with three special hikes fit for hikers of all skill level. No matter what, you’ll find something you love on these trails!

Norway is a great choice to see many natural wonders that include spectacular fjord scenery, with waterfalls, and some of the most beautiful untouched land. Trolltunga Trail is one of those trails.  Trolltunga Trail translates into the Troll’s Tongue and is one of Norway’s most famous and breathtaking sights to explore the beauty of the country.

The next trail we want to wander is in Nepal called Ghorepani Poon Hill. This is a top choice for many visitors that do not have extensive hiking experience and would like to get a taste of hiking in the region and enjoy the beauty of snow-capped mountains. It is a quick 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to reach Pokhara from Pokhara, it’s just 1 ½ hours to Nayapul, where you will start the hike that takes you through the Himalayan mountains!

Another amazing trail that we love to try is in the Tanjung Putting National Park located in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Kalimantan is famous for its orangutans and rainforests. It has one of the most breathtaking equatorial rainforests on the planet. There are all kinds of adventures into the deep and vast jungles where you will find all kinds of captivating wildlife.

Remember, no matter where you hike, it’s always best to be protected with a travel medical insurance policy that will cover you in the event you get injured or ill. Check out some travel medical plans available now on our website linked in the description below!

Keep an eye out for our Part 2 of Hiking around the World. But for this blog, please check out our Hiking Around the World – Part 1 of 2 blog at https://www.gninsurance.com/blog/travel-smarter/hiking-around-the-world.

Continuing our series on experiencing some great hiking trails and sights to see around the world, we take a look at three more choices to explore. Are you adventurous enough to check out these amazing hikes around the world? 

If you missed the first part of this series, we recommend watching that video as well, linked in the description below and our blog article here at  https://www.gninsurance.com/blog/travel-smarter/hiking-around-the-world! We’ve put together the best international trails that give you a unique perspective of the beauty and culture of some special destinations. The following three trails are definitely worth checking out!

Skeleton Gorge Trail in South Africa is our first stop. It is one of the most popular ways to hike up the east side of Table Mountain. How about heading close towards the South Pole?  Our second adventurous trail takes us to Laguna de los Tres day hike in Argentina. Laguna de Los Tres is in the Los Glaciares National Park and is 15 ½ miles long. You’ll see glaciers and hidden lakes through the entire hike while surrounded with incredible views!

Lastly, going all the way towards the North Pole, you will love to enjoy the breathtaking panorama while hiking up the Mt. Blahnukur Loop in Iceland. Much of the trail is fairly flat and not difficult, but the trek up the mountain can be fairly steep and challenging at times. Mt. Blahnukur is known as the Blue Peak with its blueish-gray color that makes it different from the yellow, brown and orange mountains of Landmannalaugar.

Hiking poles and some good shoes are helpful for this 4-mile hike. Along with the best equipment, it’s important to also protect yourself with a travel medical plan that will cover you if you get injured or ill along the way. There are plans specifically designed for hiking and adventure sports, and you can even get your gear covered!  And if you made it this far we’d love for you to read our full blog about Hiking Around the World – Part 2 of 2 here at https://www.gninsurance.com/blog/travel-smarter/hiking-around-the-world-part-2 where you’ll find in depth information on all of the hikes we mentioned. 

For all of our blog articles and questions relating to expat and travel medical insurance, please –

We at Good Neighbor Insurance wish you all a safe and spectacular global travel!

https://www.gninsurance.com

 

Welcome to your beginner’s guide to yachting! Today we’re diving into the exciting world of yachting- which simply means the lifestyle and vacation style of living or working on a yacht style boat.

What is a yacht?  Historically yachts were simply boats that were not designed to work in a trade. They started appearing as fast race boats in Amsterdam’s boat races in the 17th century, and have since grown to become synonymous with luxurious liveaboard boats.

Who goes yachting?  You might think being on a yacht is only for the rich and famous- but that’s not true! Yachting can be very affordable, especially for longer charters on smaller boats. The simple answer? Everyone can go yachting!

What kind of yachts exist?  There are three basic types of yachts: a sailing yacht which relies on sails to move around the water, a motor yacht which relies exclusively on its motor, and a gulet yacht which has both sails and a motor.

What amenities are on yachts?  Many yachts will include lifestyle amenities like wifi, cable TV, pools and jacuzzis, and gathering areas to enjoy all the views the yacht will have to offer on charter. Most also include water sports equipment for snorkeling or scuba diving.

How much does it cost to book a private yacht?  According to worldwideboat.com, “the average weekly cost of a 100-foot sailing yacht is between $50,000-100,000.” These vessels can comfortably house about 12 people as well as a full crew. 

Who crews a yacht?  Yacht crews can have anywhere from 3 people to over 100 people on crew depending on the size of the ship. Typically, they’re broken down into four departments: Deck, who are responsible for the day-to-day sailing, Engineers who are responsible for all the mechanical or electrical parts of the ship, Interior who are responsible for cleaning and service, and Galley who are all about the food.

May I work on a yacht?  Typically, only a few certification courses are required before you can begin working on a yacht! You have to be available to work and live on board for the full season.

While yachting is considered a safe activity and lifestyle, we would never recommend working aboard a yacht, or even vacationing without the proper travel or nomad insurance coverage. Learn more about travel and nomad insurance at gninsurance.com/travel, so you can stay protected on the high seas.

Want to know more about yachting? Please head over to our blog here at https://www.gninsurance.com/blog/how-to/beginners-guide-to-yachting.  We hope you enjoyed this beginner’s guide to yachting.

We wish you and yours a very safe and an awe-inspiring global travels!

For the most up-to-date information on our different international travel and expatiate medical insurance options, please –

Safe global travels – from your GNI Team here in Gilbert, Arizona.

https://www.gninsurance.com

A nomad’s guide to traveling through South Africa, https://www.gninsurance.com/blog/travel-plans/digital-nomads-guide-to-south-africa.

Nomads work remotely in the digital age and rely on devices with wireless internet. Nomads love to travel, https://www.gninsurance.com/blog!

Start the trip with the Garden Route to see the coastline! Stop for coffee in Cape Town! 

Hermanus: The whale watching capital of Africa

Wilderness: white sand beaches and breathtaking views from the foothills.

Take a hike through the Robberg Nature Reserve.  See all kinds of animals in the Addo Elephant Park- even great white sharks!

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And over the course of these next few months, we will be adding more in-depth nomadic lifestyle blogs here at https://www.gninsurance.com/blog. 

For the most up-to-date information on our different international travel and expatiate medical insurance options, please –

Safe global nomadic travels – from your GNI Team here in Gilbert, Arizona.